Blackhawks win in 9th round of shootout
With the Blackhawks and Sharks – the worst two teams in the NHL – squaring off at the United Center on Tuesday, it was fair to wonder what would transpire.
Would we see back-and-forth action, tons of scoring chances and a 7-6 final?
Or a low-scoring, slug-fest?
Well, it was definitely Option B, with the Blackhawks prevailing 2-1 in a shootout in a game that featured a pair of second-period brawls.
Cole Guttman scored in the first period, and Rem Pitlick and Boris Katchouk scored in the shootout as the Hawks snapped a three-game losing streak. Katchouk's conversion came in the ninth round.
Hawks goalie Petr Mrazek turned in another stellar performance, holding a third straight team scoreless in the opening 40 minutes. He finished with 37 saves and 8 more in the shootout. This was also the fourth straight game Mrazek has allowed 2 or fewer goals.
“I've been feeling good, playing a lot of games,” Mrazek said. “Being healthy and focusing on just hockey is fun.”
Mrazek's season save percentage of .907 and goals-against average of 3.05 aren't exactly eye-popping, but it's safe to say he's having one of the best campaigns of his career.
“He’s playing unbelievable for us every night,” coach Luke Richardson said after practice Monday. “We just have to try to find some goal support.”
Mrazek's cat-like reflexes were on full display Tuesday as he:
∎ Made a sensational save on a tip attempt by Alexander Barabanov with 7:12 remaining in the first period by exploding to his right and deflecting the puck with his leg.
∎ Redirected a shot by William Eklund midway through the second period, then staved off the rebound attempt by Fabian Zetterlund. Eklund then fired again, but his backhand shot hit the crossbar.
Cole Guttman gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead at 10:41 of the first period with the Hawks on the power play. Guttman, who was in the AHL in the beginning of the season, now has 4 goals in 24 games.
The fights were between Guttman and Kyle Burroughs, and Jarred Tinordi and Scott Sabourin. Tinordi's lasted about 45 seconds, with both players getting numerous shots in.
San Jose (10-32-3) has dropped 15 of 16.
The Hawks (13-29-2) play at Buffalo on Wednesday.
Tip-in:
Connor Murphy missed his first game of the season with a lower-body injury. Coach Luke Richardson believes it's a short-term injury and is hopeful Murphy can face the Sabres on Wednesday.